The Impact of Spinal Muscular Atrophy on Muscle Function
Motor neurons are specialized nerve cells that send signals from the spinal cord and brainstem to the muscles, helping the body move, sit, stand, lift, swallow, breathe, and maintain posture. When a person has SMA, the body does not produce enough survival motor neuron protein, also called SMN protein, which is essential for motor neuron health. Without enough SMN protein, motor neurons can weaken or atrophy, leading to progressive muscle weakness and muscle wasting. Insufficient SMN protein leads to loss of motor neurons in the spinal cord and causes weakness and wasting of skeletal muscles.
The impact of Spinal Muscular Atrophy on muscle function can vary from person to person, but the condition often affects the muscles closest to the center of the body, including the shoulders, hips, thighs, back, neck, and trunk. This can make everyday movements more difficult, such as holding the head up, sitting upright, reaching, lifting the arms, transferring, walking, coughing, swallowing, or taking deep breaths. SMA is characterized by weakness and wasting in skeletal muscles, and that weakness is often more severe in muscles close to the body’s center than in muscles farther away.
Watch Full Episode on YouTube:
Connect with Victor Guerra:
Personal Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/Victortheinspiration/
The SMA Victor Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/TheSMAVictor/
The SMA Victor TikTok:
https://www.tiktok.com/@TheSMAVictor
The SMA Victor Podcast Episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BT7VJqpaR7rASeJHidduTFEcqLSA0Ic
The SMA Victor Q&A:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BT7VJqpaR7YFKqOYqs8lCeih48RO-5B
Learn More About SMA:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BT7VJqpaR5ZI1hZ5dkVPIfjbdqvPnZE&si=WRV8gj2102jCn6mI
The SMA Victor FAQs:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BT7VJqpaR4Mzd1ul1g2_XHy4Jn61oOK
The SMA Victor Music:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7BT7VJqpaR50uUMYbVhYsdncM-Bf1mO1
Victor's Life with SMA:
https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXeepRh23LFqpR6iOdsaVjgYaeRX5u_eP&si=fYKi0SN0JL1KVtcf
My book, Become the Victor: Turning Trials into Triumph, tells my personal journey and offers guidance for anyone who feels stuck, discouraged, or unsure how to move forward. It is a reminder that “your greatest tests will become your greatest testimony.” It is available online at Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes, and Google Play Books.
Get My Book Here:
https://victortheinspiration.com/blogs/book-links/book-links